After years of being accountable to bosses and managers in her cosmetology career, Cory Charske is finally the person in charge.

Charske, of Mentor, is part of a growing trend of beauty professionals seeking to manage and operate their own businesses within community-style studios.

In January, she left her former job at a traditional salon that kept a significant portion of money earned from her skills and set up shop at Sola Salon Studios, where the money she earns stays right in her own pocket.

Advertisement

Through leasing one of several spaces at the studio complex at 6994 Heisley Road in Mentor, Charske now owns, operates and manages Pixie Salon, while avoiding upfront costs and overhead fees associated with opening a traditional salon. She also has access to amenities, support and security.

For Charske and other beauty professionals who’ve opened up shop in Sola Salon Studios and similar establishments, the situation is a winning one.

Flexible hours, inventory control and setting her own prices for services count among multiple advantages.

“Clients love having your full attention and time from start to finish,” Charske said. “I can get the job done and not have to worry about a closing time. And when I want to wear my sneakers, I don’t need to hand in a doctor’s note (to my boss).”

Paula Webster of Mentor recently had her hair styled at Studio 2, a space in Sola Salon Studios owned by Mallory Altier and Cate Walland. Like many other clients, she followed her preferred stylists when they struck out on their own.

“This is a delightful experience compared to being in a salon,” she said. “It’s much more personal … and it’s very apparent (the stylists) are very happy in their new environment.” Samantha Potti, who owns Skin Deep Aesthetics in Sola Salon Studios, said that after years of working in traditional salons, she was ready for the break.

“This was the path I wanted to take in my profession,” she said. “It’s been wonderful. I’ve been so successful here … everybody is great … you smile when you walk in every day.”

Franchise owner Michael Meacham said that income can rise by 30 percent to 50 percent for the business owners.

“It’s far more lucrative,” he said. “They do very well.”

There are about 175 Sola Salon Studios nationwide, with five in Ohio. The studios in Strongsville that opened just two years ago are already slated for expansion and the site in Lyndhurst’s Legacy Village that opened in 2013 is fully leased. New studios are planned for Crocker Park in Westlake and Belden Village Mall.

Meacham, who spent 30 years running a successful apartment leasing business, said that when the new salon concept was introduced, “It just exploded.”

Asked about his rapidly rising competition, Meacham said, “What makes us stand out is our quality. We have features our competitors don’t have — closed ceilings, double-paned sliding glass doors so operators can play their own music and have their own conversations, flat screen televisions, large break rooms.”

According to Charske, input from beauty professionals regarding layout and design for the studios makes them stylist-friendly. Taller sinks, instant hot water, natural lighting, ample storage and electrical safety features add up to a more enjoyable and efficient operation.

Meacham ensures that rent for studio space is either comparable to or lower than competitors.

“Our business concept works” he said. “There’s no reason to gouge our stylists. We take the risks, pay the insurance, the utilities. They have their own ownership without the risks.”

Meacham noted that he seeks areas “somewhere in the middle of a high density of salons” to place his facilities, and added that “stylists gravitate to us once they see the concept and realize they’ll make more money.”

Potti said she can understand why some who’ve worked in the same salon for years might be hesitant to take the leap toward independence.

“I understand that it’s a terrifying decision,” she said. “But like everybody else, I wonder why I waited so long to do it.”

Other stylists in the Mentor location are Britta Brownlee of Revive and Denise Osewalt and Barbara Parker-Yates of Ozzie & Parker Hair Studio.

About the Author

Jean reports on feature stories across the area as well as Geauga County community and school district news. Reach the author at jbonchak@news-herald.com
or follow Jean on Twitter: @JBonchak.